How to Donate to the Permanent Collection

The Museum of Northwest Art accepts compelling donations of art, archival materials, and ephemera by and about Northwest artists. We collect a variety of art, including paintings, prints and other works on paper, sculpture, glass, ceramics, and photographs. We have an active Collections Committee that meets several times each year to review submissions. The Museum and the Collections Committee are committed to the principle that all collecting be done according to the highest standards of ethical and professional practice.

Works of art accepted into the Permanent Collection are to significantly enhance the Museum's stated mission and are subject to all Museum policies and must be in excellent condition.

The Museum requires donors to transfer all rights of reproduction unless the donor does not own such rights or the gift is made by a living artist of the artist's own work. In such cases, the Museum will seek a nonexclusive right of reproduction from the copyright owner.

It has been the Museum's longstanding policy not to provide appraisals to donors.  Under current IRS guidelines, the Museum cannot act as a qualified appraiser because of the inherent conflict with its role as a donee.  If a donor asks for assistance in locating an appropriate appraiser, the Collections staff may suggest several qualified appraisers, including the Art Dealers Association and auction houses.

To inquire about donating art, contact Lisa Young, curator of the Permanent Collection at lisay@museumofnwart.org or (360) 466-4446, Ext. 110. All inquiries are kept confidential.